Prostitution
Prostitution is an ancient and universal phenomenon; it is the practice of engaging in sexual activity, usually with individuals, in exchange for immediate payment of money, gifts, or other valuables. In so doing, prostitute uses their bodies as commodities.
In this act, as the main component. Prostitutes perform sexual acts solely for material gain. In legal terms, the word prostitute refers only to those who noticeably engage in sexual-economic transactions, usually for a specified sum of money. Prostitutes may be of either sex and may engage in either heterosexual or homosexual activity, but historically most prostitution has been done by females with males as clients. This indicates both the traditional socioeconomic dependence of women and the tendency to exploit female sexuality. Although prostitution has often been characterized as the "world's oldest profession," the concept of women as property, which prevailed in most cultures until the end of the 19th century, meant that the profits of the profession most often accrued to the men who controlled it.
Prostitutes are often set apart in some way. In medieval Europe, prostitution was licensed and regulated by law, but by the 16th century, an epidemic of venereal disease and Post-Reformation morality led to the shutting down of brothels. The Roman authorities attempted to limit the spread of slave prostitution and often resorted to harsh measures. Brothel inmates, called meretricious, were forced to register with the government for life, wear garish blond wigs and other distinctive raiments, forfeit all civil rights, and pay a heavy tax. In the Middle Ages, the Christian church, which valued chastity, attempted to convert or recover individual prostitutes but refrained from campaigning against the institution itself. In so doing, the church followed the teaching of St. Augustine, who held that the elimination of prostitution would breed even worse forms of immorality and perversion because men would continue to seek sexual contact outside marriage. By the late Middle Ages, prostitution had reached a high point in Western history. Licensed brothels flourished throughout Europe, yielding enormous revenues to government officials and corrupt churchmen.
In Asia, where women were held in low respect, and no religious deterrent existed, prostitution was accepted as natural. During the 16th century, prostitution declined sharply in Europe, mainly as the result of strict punishment by Protestants and Roman Catholics. They condemned the immorality of brothels and their inmates. Still, they were also motivated by the perception of a connection between prostitution and an outbreak of syphilis, a previously unknown disease. Brothels in many cities were closed by the authorities. Under a typical ordinance enacted in Paris in 1635, prostitutes were flogged, shaved bald and exiled for life without a formal trial. Prostitutes are very often poor and lack skills to support themselves; in many traditional societies, there are few other available money-earning occupations for women without family support. In developing African and Asian countries, prostitution has been largely responsible for spreading AIDS and the orphaning of hundreds of thousands of children.
Prostitution- culture in Nepal
In Nepal, certain community has a living culture about prostitution. They are involved in the sex business by following their ancestors. By castle system in the Terai region, mainly Dang and Bardiya district, some Badi communities continue sex business as their family tradition.
In the capital city, Kathmandu, Thamel is a famous tourist hub. It is supposed that the Thamel is also a well-known area of prostitution-related activities in Kathmandu valley. It is a small but famous and colourful Bazaar mainly focused on tourism with many hotels, restaurants, travel and trekking agencies, and shops. It seems more beautiful in the evening than the day because the various colour of light lit the Thamel at nightfall time. But, it is shamefully going to turn into a prostitution area. Some sex trade businesses are operated by putting the 'MASSAGE' board outside. They particularly bring girls from the villages, persuading them to have excellent jobs in the city. About 95% of them are uneducated and deprived of education. Because of the poverty, parents allow them to go to the town to make money. But the unscrupulous sex trade operators can often force them into prostitution.
One of the most significant problems in Nepalese society is that in the past decades' Nepalese women and girls have been trafficked for forceful prostitution in Mumbai (India). Many parents lost their daughters while hoping for a promising future working in the neighbouring country. These days this problem is slightly decreasing because of government and non-government organizations. But in recent years, women and girl trafficking have been increasing inside Nepal. The main prostitution markets are small and big cities of Nepal and highways areas.
Prostitution Impact on Society
Prostitution is defined as the performance of sexual acts solely for material gain. Persons prostitute themselves when they contribute sexual favours to others in exchange for money, gifts etc. There has been much debate about whether prostitution should be legalized, and one that our society approaches with disinterest. Society simultaneously criticizes contract sex yet provides it to customers with conflicting attitudes and behaviours that our culture imposes. Many of the assumptions in Nepal about contract sex remain hampered by the laws and social restrictions. However, strong arguments have been made to support legalizing prostitution and decriminalizing it. Nepal is one of the few countries that impose against prostitution, while other countries accept prostitution by successfully regulating it and restricting those who exploit it. Those who have successfully regulated prostitution have cured much of the issues surrounding prostitution, such as health, crime, acceptance, and an overall safe work environment.